Jimmy Connors thinks Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka have been so nice this 12 months that it’s protected to state that they may begin profitable some matches within the locker room as a result of there may be now “a worry issue” in taking part in towards them.
In the beginning of the season, the 23-year-old Italian turned a Grand Slam champion on the Australian Open after impressively turning into the primary participant to beat Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park since 2018 and likewise recovering from a two-set deficit within the remaining towards Daniil Medvedev.
After making a splash early within the 12 months, Sinner additionally reached the world No. 1 rating for the primary time in June – added 5 extra titles to his assortment – together with his second Main win at this previous US Open. Total, he holds a powerful 55-5 report in 2024.
On the opposite facet, Sabalenka efficiently defended her Australian Open title and not using a dropped set at Melbourne Park. And identical to the Italian, she additionally went all the best way at Flushing Meadows this 12 months and she or he now has three Slams in her assortment. Additionally, it ought to be famous that the Belarusian is at the moment on a 12-match profitable streak, having gained the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati earlier than the US Open.
“Jannik Sinner and Sabalenka now have a worry issue, different gamers worry them. Meaning they may begin profitable matches earlier than they even step on the courtroom. Confidence is: ‘I’ll play towards you for 5 hours if vital, it doesn’t matter what it takes, it’s a must to discover a technique to beat me as a result of I cannot beat myself’. To me, that’s what nice gamers work for. They’ve the sport, the mentality and all the things it takes to win matches, however they’ve that little one thing further that makes their opponent know they need to kill them to beat them. That’s one thing particular and I believe each Sinner and Sabalenka have that now. It’s actually particular,” the previous eight-time Slam winner mentioned on the Benefit Connors podcast.
Connors: Sabalenka was on a mission…
Final 12 months, the Belarusian tennis star was additionally near profitable each the Australian Open and US Open – however fell simply brief after Coco Gauff got here again from a set down within the remaining at Flushing Meadows. Within the second, the world No. 2 cried and was crushed over lacking out on profitable a Main in such a means.
However what she did not handle to do final season, she was capable of accomplish this 12 months as that is the primary season the place the 26-year-old has managed to win two Grand Slam titles in a single 12 months. And contemplating that Sabalenka has had 4 Main finals because the begin of 2023 towards Iga Swiatek’s two Slam finals on the French Open, Connors thinks there is no such thing as a doubt in relation to who has been extra constant on the largest stage over the past two years.
“Final 12 months, she misplaced that US Open remaining to Coco Gauff after which she went to Australia decided and simply gained her second Australian Open. She most likely needed to avenge the US Open once more final 12 months and type of blew the courtroom away once more. So, she’s extra constant than Iga. Additionally, Aryna is simply good, even when she does not win the match. She’s humorous, she does not take herself too significantly, she will snort at herself. It looks as if now she’s OK when one thing goes towards her, she’s capable of bounce again and make up for it,” the American former world No. 1 defined.
Connors additionally had a warning for Novak Djokovic
Whereas Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have achieved essentially the most this 12 months, Djokovic completed a season and not using a Slam title for the primary time since 2017. And his US Open run was notably disappointing after he suffered a shock third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin.
Whereas the American tennis legend acknowledged on his podcast that the 37-year-old Serb was coming off an enormous Paris Olympics triumph, he additionally famous that the competitors – on this case Popyrin – sensed that he was susceptible.
“He went from the grass to the clay with all of the hype and strain of profitable the Olympic gold. Then to return again on exhausting courts, he hasn’t ready by taking part in any matches. These younger youngsters, as soon as they get a really feel that you just’ve misplaced that aura round you, that you just’re unbeatable and that they’ve an opportunity, a number of these youngsters, they see that now. And that’s what occurred,” the American tennis legend mentioned.
Nevertheless, Connors additionally highlighted that Djokovic cannot be written off regardless of his early US Open exit and never having a Slam 12 months he would have favored.
